Welcome to The Master’s Tax & Financial Services
Our website is an information resource designed to help you learn more about personal finance. We believe that good financial decisions don’t have to be confusing. Our hope is that this website will assist you in learning more about tax issues, investing, retirement, insurance, preparing financially for college, estate planning, and wealth preservation.
As in other areas of life, each of us will be more successful in our financial matters if we hold to a clear objective and make decisions in alignment with our objective. Janelle and Richard are prepared to assist you to:
- Clarify and define your goals
- Identify solutions that fit your needs
- File complete and accurate tax returns taking your best elections
- Plan for future tax events in order to minimize taxes
- Understand how changing financial conditions affect you
- Track your financial progress
- Make investment planning easier (Richard)
Through years of disciplined saving Richard was able to retire from his engineering work early in 2013 at the age of 58. Retirement not only allows more time for grandchildren, but more time for this business. Whatever your future financial goals are - retirement, helping fund college for children or grandchildren, or others - Richard is prepared to help.
No one likes to see a letter from the IRS or state tax or revenue authority, but both Janelle and Richard have taken advanced course work on helping people work through these situations. Both are licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS.
We are open year-round. During the summer we are often out for a week or so for specialized Continuing Professional Education (CPE) or vacation with grandchildren. But we stay in touch and can help you address your concerns.
Please browse our site. It will not only introduce you to our company philosophy and services, but it will also offer a wealth of educational materials, articles, newsletters, calculators, and other tools — all designed to keep you up-to-date on financial issues, strategies, and trends. This educational material is updated frequently.
Helpful Content
Surprises
Making the most of surprises is a great reason to work with us.
The Financial Literacy Crisis
Many Americans are operating their personal finances with only the barest minimum of knowledge.
What Is a 1035 Exchange?
1035 exchanges provide a way to trade-in an annuity contract or life insurance policy without triggering a tax liability.
Understanding the Alternate Valuation Date
Executors can value the estate on the date of death, or on its six-month anniversary —the “Alternate Valuation Date."
When Does Your Personal Car Become a Commercial Vehicle?
At what point can you call a personal vehicle commercial?
Don’t Be Your Own Worst Enemy
Emotional biases can adversely impact financial decision making. Here’s a few to be mindful of.
When Should You Take Social Security
Monthly Social Security payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits.
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too.
Medicare At 65+
65 or older? It may be time to enroll in Medicare. Read to learn if you’re eligible.
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Historical Inflation
This calculator shows how inflation over the years has impacted purchasing power.
Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional 401(k)
This calculator compares employee contributions to a Roth 401(k) and a traditional 401(k).
What's My Potential Estate Tax?
This calculator helps estimate your federal estate tax liability.
How Compound Interest Works
Use this calculator to better see the potential impact of compound interest on an asset.
Bi-Weekly Payments
This calculator estimates the savings from paying a mortgage bi-weekly instead of monthly.
Home Mortgage Deduction
Use this calculator to assess the potential benefits of a home mortgage deduction.
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5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
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Questions to Consider When Buying a Vacation Home
Doing your research is key before buying a vacation home.
A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List
A bucket plan can help you be better prepared for a comfortable retirement.
4 Elements of an Estate Strategy
Learn about the importance of having an estate strategy in this helpful and informative video.
What to Do When You Lose Your Wallet
Ever lost your wallet? Frustrating. Here’s what you can do to keep yourself safe.
Coaches
Coaches have helped you your whole life, in ways big and small. We'd like to be one of them.
The Cost of Procrastination
Procrastination can be costly. When you get a late start, it may be difficult to make up for lost time.